Support for Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Monotherapy for Multidrug-Resistant Chronic HBV Infection

Early monotherapy regimens for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, such as lamivudine, led to high rates of multidrug resistance (MDR). More-potent regimens such as tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) alone or in combination with another agent have been recommended for MDR, but a lack of long-term efficacy data hampers clear, consistent guidelines.

In an industry-funded, prospective, multicenter cohort study, researchers in Korea evaluated the long-term efficacy of TDF alone or in a combination regimen among 423 patients receiving rescue therapy for MDR HBV infection. The primary endpoint was virologic response, defined as serum HBV DNA <20 IU/mL.

Forty-one percent of patients received TDF monotherapy and the rest combination therapy. …